In 2019, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch described Sam Page as an anesthesiologist who built a career “of soothing pain and instilling calm in people” — and suggested he might be just “what the doctor ordered” as St. Louis County’s new executive.
Six years later, Page has decided he’s done.
“So, I’ve made a decision that I believe takes courage: I’m not running for reelection to a third term,” Page wrote last week. “Instead of spending next year campaigning, I’m going to spend my last year in office doing what I’ve always done — focusing completely on you and the work that matters.”
Page partially blamed the political climate, saying it’s now dominated by “manufactured fake problems” that make it harder for public officials to address serious issues facing residents.
The announcement came as a surprise and immediately fueled speculation about what those fake problems are and whether there are other reasons. Some pointed to the July indictment brought by then-Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who accused Page of participating in a “pay-to-play” political scheme. Others quickly shifted focus to the question of who will succeed him.
State Sen. Brian Williams, a Democrat from University City, has already entered the race and reportedly raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. With Page out, the large Black North County vote is no longer divided between the popular white incumbent and Williams, a well-known Black elected official.
Page’s decision “marks an opportunity for St. Louis County to move forward with a fresh start,” Williams said last week. “We have serious problems to address, and I am committed to working with anyone who has good ideas to solve our county’s problems.”
Republican Councilman Councilman Dennis Hancock, a former Fenton mayor, announced his candidacy before Page revealed his plans. Other potential contenders mentioned in recent coverage include at least three other Democrats: Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck, St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman and former state Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal.
Chappelle-Nadal appeared to dismiss speculation about her candidacy, responding to reports with a laughing meme and writing that it would be impossible to raise enough money to mount an effective campaign before next year’s election.
Page has repeatedly denied wrongdoing related to the indictment. His defense attorney, Matthew Radefeld, told St. Louis Magazine last week that Page’s decision not to seek another term reflects deep frustration with being “a blue dot in a red state (that’s) constantly attacked from all angles.”
Radefeld specifically cited the prosecution pursued by Bailey’s successor, Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, over a county mailer sent this year related to Proposition B, the failed ballot measure that would have allowed the County Council to fire Page’s top department heads.
Prosecutors have argued the mailer crossed the line from informational material into political advocacy.
Voters rejected Proposition B in April by nearly a two-to-one margin.
“This whole prosecution was just kind of the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Radefeld said.
On Friday, Greene County Judge Kati Greenwade denied a motion by Page’s attorneys to dismiss the case, allowing it to move forward.
Michael Holmes, a longtime Page supporter and former president of Rx Outreach, defended the outgoing county executive.
“Politics is rough,” Holmes said. “This man has given his heart and his soul to St. Louis County. He guided us through COVID, and I think he did a very good job.”
Page likely made numerous enemies by “doing right by the people,” Holmes said .
“What he was charged with was bogus and politically motivated. The political attacks wear on people, so I don’t blame him for not wanting to go through another four years of those kinds of attacks.”
County Councilman Mark Harder said Page’s decision frees him to govern without political calculation during his final year in office.
“He’s in a position that he can be quite powerful if he wanted to, because he has no obligations to anyone for reelection,” Harder told St. Louis Public Radio. “He can decide how he wants to play out the remaining 12 months of his career.”
With Page no longer on the ballot, candidates will have to run on their own records and visions for addressing St. Louis County’s challenges, including persistent budget deficits and the possibility of tax increases in the coming years.
The race will unfold during a midterm election cycle, with President Donald Trump’s agenda likely weighing heavily on voters’ minds. As in past cycles, national politics are expected to shape local races.
Earlier this year, The American quoted Page at a get-out-the-vote event with U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell, where he said St. Louis County believes in “diversity, equity and inclusion” and vowed to push back against efforts by the Trump administration to dismantle DEI programs.
In his retirement announcement, Page echoed that resolve.
“I’ll be here through the end of my term, working with integrity and purpose,” he wrote. “I will continue fighting for your healthcare, your safety and your essential services.”
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.
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